Which of the following can a certified pharmacy technician NOT perform?

A certified pharmacy technician is typically tasked with various responsibilities designed to support the pharmacist and the overall operation of the pharmacy. However, the role has specific limitations, particularly concerning independent clinical judgments and patient interactions that fall within the purview of the pharmacist.

Providing drug information independently is an action that involves evaluating patient-specific information and offering clinical advice or counseling without the oversight of a pharmacist. This responsibility requires a level of clinical expertise and professional judgment that is beyond the scope of practice for pharmacy technicians.

In contrast, receiving oral medical orders is part of their duties under the supervision of a licensed pharmacist. Similarly, transferring copies of orders and verifying the contents of unit dose carts are also tasks that technicians can perform to support the pharmacy workflow, all while operating under the supervision and direction of a pharmacist. These responsibilities are integral to the pharmacy’s operation but do not require the independent clinical decision-making skills that providing drug information does.